Longitudinally adjustable hair roller

ABSTRACT

This specification discloses a hair roller that is longitudinally adjustable. It comprises two plastic elements. These are an outer cylindrical sleeve formed with a longitudinal row of aligned inwardly projecting teats and an inner sleeve that is snugly received in the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is formed with a longitudinal slot in which the teats are received and movable therein. Opening into this slot are a series of equidistantly spaced circumferential slots in which the teats are also movable. Each circumferential slot terminates in a locking notch.

United States Patent FOREIGN PATENTS 56,179 2/1936 Norway Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-.1. Q. Lever Attorney-Schellin & Hoffman ABSTRACT: This specification discloses a hair roller that is longitudinally adjustable. It comprises two plastic elements. These are an outer cylindrical sleeve formed with a longitudinal row of aligned inwardly projecting teats and an inner sleeve that is snugly received in the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is formed with a longitudinal slot in which the teats are received and movable therein. Opening into this slot are a series of equidistantly spaced circumferential slots in which the teats are also movable. Each circumferential slot terminates in a locking notch.

PATENTED JUL20 |97| FIG.

FIG.

INVENTOR ANTONIO E. LEI-\L BY 7440M ATTORNEYS LONGITUDINALLY ADJUSTABLE HAIR ROLLER The present invention relates to hair rollers on which hair is wound and is concerned primarily with such a roller ofa new and improved construction that imparts longitudinal adjustability thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is now generally recognized by hair dressers, whether beauty shop operators or self hair dressers, that a roller which is longitudinally adjustable within a fairly wide range presents many practical advantages If such a roller is to meet with public acceptance, it must be susceptible of easy manipulation for adjustment purposes, and manufacture at low cost. It should comprise a minimal number of parts and have the ability to be locked in an adjusted pSition with definite assurance that the parts will remain in that position. It is also desirable that it have an outer contour that is close to being uniform throughout its extent.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The invention has, as its primal objective, the provision ofa hair roller comprising two parts which are longitudinally adjustable and which have integrally formed therewith elements which lock the parts in an adjusted position.

More particularly, an object is to provide, in an adjustable hair roller of the type noted, two cylindrical sleeves, one of which is snugly received in the other, and which may be manipulated to achieve a desired adjustment and locked in the adjusted position.

Another object is to provide a hair roller of the character aforesaid which is made entirely of plastic.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects are attained by providing a hair roller comprising inner and outer sleeves; both of these sleeves are cylindrical and of plastic with the sleeves being dimensioned so that the inner sleeve is snugly received within the outer sleeve. Carried by the latter and projecting into the face thereof are a longitudinal row of equidistantly spaced teats or projections. The inner sleeve has a main longitudinal slot extending from end to end. Opening into this main slot are a plurality of circumferential slots that are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of the tests. Each circumferential slot terminates in a locking notch having a longitudinal extent.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation depicting the two elements of the subject hair roller in exploded relation;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the roller with the elements assembled in an adjusted position;

FIG. 3 is an elevation similar to FIG. 2 illustrating another adjusted position; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse section through the assembled roller, being taken about on the plane represented by the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, and first more particularly to FIG. I, the hair roller of this invention is therein shown as comprising an outer sleeve I0 and an inner sleeve I 1. While these parts may be of just about any material having the required properties, a plastic is indicated as the preferred material. There are now many commonly known plastics that are susceptible of being molded into the required shape and have properties of strength, rigidity and elasticity to the required degree.

Sleeve 10 is cylindrical and has a bore 12 determined by the wall thickness of the sleeve. Projecting into this bore 12 is a row of teats 13 which are equidistantly spaced apart. The length of those teats is not critical other than that is should be sufficiently great for them to enter into the locking operation to be later described. Obviously, they should not be excessive ly long from the aspect of efficient production.

Inner sleeve 11 is formed with a main longitudinal slot 14. This slot extends from end to end and is of a width sufficient to allow for an appreciable compression of the sleeve to facilitate its insertion into outer sleeve 10 and to accommodate reception and movement of teats I3 therein.

Opening into main slot 14 are a plurality of circumferential slots 15. Slots 15 are wide enough to receive teats I3 and permit movement of the teats therein. Each circumferential slot I5 terminates in a locking notch I6 which extends longitudinally with all of notches I6 being directed away from slots 15 in the same direction.

Increments of adjustment are determined by the spacing of teats l3 and slots 15. It is notable that the end of sleeve 11 which is intended for insertion in sleeve 10 is formed with a recess I7 which receives one of the teats 13 after the latter have been moved longitudinally into locking notches l6.

OPERATION While the mode of operation of the subject adjustable hair roller is believed to be obvious from the illustrations of the drawing and description of parts set forth above, it may be briefly outlined as follows:

Inner sleeve II is first contracted slightly to facilitate its insertion into outer sleeve 10. The end having recess 17 is then inserted into sleeve I0 and the insertion continued to the extent rcquired for a particular adjustment. At this point relative rotation is imparted to the sleeves and the operator can tell by feel, coupled with a small amount of longitudinal movement, when the teats I3 come opposite to the open ends of slots 15.

When this occurs, rotative movement moves the teats 13 to the ends of slots IS. The sleeves are then moved longitudinally relative to one another which brings the teats 13 into locking notches 16. Upon release of inner sleeve 11, it expands into snug relation with bore 12 of sleeve 10.

For all practical purposes the outer contour of the assembled sleeve is substantially uniform. The only discrepancy is the wall thickness of outer sleeve I0, and if this is held to a minimum the discrepancy is negligible.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, devices and materials illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice.

What I claim is:

I. In a longitudinally adjustable hair roller,

a. an outer cylindrical sleeve having a bore and an outer contour about which hair is wrapped,

b. a longitudinal row of equidistantly spaced teats formed on said outer sleeve and projecting into said bore, and

c. an inner cylindrical plastic member normally snugly received in the bore of said outer sleeve and movable relative thereto both longitudinally and rotatively, said inner cylindrical member also being adapted to have hair wrapped thereabout, said inner sleeve having I. a longitudinal slot extending from one end to the other of said inner member and presenting spaced side edges, which, in combination with the plastic material of said inner member provides for a slight degree of contractability of said inner member to facilitate insertion of said inner member into said outer sleeve and subsequent adjustment relative thereto,

notches.

2. The adjustable hair roller of claim 1 in which one end of the inner sleeve is formed with a recess in alignment with said locking notches.

3. The adjustable hair roller of claim 1 in which the outer sleeve is of plastic. 

1. In a longitudinally adjustable hair roller, a. an outer cylindrical sleeve having a bore and an outer contour about which hair is wrapped, b. a longitudinal row of equidistantly spaced teats formed on said outer sleeve and projecting into said bore, and c. an inner cylindrical plastic member normally snugly received in the bore of said outer sleeve and movable relative thereto both longitudinally and roTatively, said inner cylindrical member also being adapted to have hair wrapped thereabout, said inner sleeve having
 1. a longitudinal slot extending from one end to the other of said inner member and presenting spaced side edges, which, in combination with the plastic material of said inner member provides for a slight degree of contractability of said inner member to facilitate insertion of said inner member into said outer sleeve and subsequent adjustment relative thereto,
 2. a plurality of circumferential slots opening into said longitudinal slot and spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of said teats, said circumferential slots having closed ends, and
 3. locking notches at the closed ends of said circumferential slots and having a longitudinal extent, said teats being received and movable in said slots and notches.
 2. a plurality of circumferential slots opening into said longitudinal slot and spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of said teats, said circumferential slots having closed ends, and
 2. The adjustable hair roller of claim 1 in which one end of the inner sleeve is formed with a recess in alignment with said locking notches.
 3. The adjustable hair roller of claim 1 in which the outer sleeve is of plastic.
 3. locking notches at the closed ends of said circumferential slots and having a longitudinal extent, said teats being received and movable in said slots and notches. 